TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – A bill that would allow the State of Florida to randomly test many state employees for drugs passed a key House committee Friday, even though the idea may not meet constitutional requirements.

The House State Affairs Committee cleared the bill (HB 1205) by a straight party-line vote of 9-6.

If the measure becomes law, state agencies would be given the authority to randomly test workers every three months, but it would not make such tests mandatory. Workers who fail the test could have that included in any effort to fire them.

Tests will be paid for out of the agencies’ existing budgets, a change that addressed some legislators concerns when a previous committee vote rejected the proposal.

The version approved Friday, an outside organization would create a random group of employees to be tested.No more than 10 percent of an agency’s employee roster could be tested at any time.

Rep. Alan Williams, a Democrat from Tallahassee who represents thousands of state employees, said the bill would do nothing to help the already depressed morale of those constituents.

“It’s the wrong direction at the wrong time,” he said. “‘Just say ‘no’ to this bill.”

But Rep. Scott Plakon pointed out that employees of private companies already work under the possibility they’ll be tested.

“I don’t see why state workers should be treated any better than the private sector,” he said.

Civil liberties experts and public worker advocates continue to oppose the bill as unconstitutional and unfair.

Drug testing invokes the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizure.

Walmart does it randomly. Who’s afraid of the truth? Doesn’t police and fire unions require 30 days notice before testing? Why? They would lose to many if they didn’t do that. ACLU trying to stop something good for the citizens again. What side are they actually on? Can’t you see again! Many state workers are testing drugs on a regular basis. Many agencies could use that as an excuse for their actions including DCF and Law Enforcement. Check the facts! Civil and Constitutional Rights violated in North Miami Beach by City Hall and Law Enforcement for years. Why isn’t that addressed? That makes NO SENSE! Why is something that makes sense like drug testing public servants PAID by the PUBLIC being contested by Public Servants, The Public’s EMPLOYEES. Who’s Afraid of the Truth!